A Tragic Trend: Bridge Collapses in Bihar

Supaul, Bihar—On 22 March 2024, a major accident shook the town of Supaul in yet another tragic incident during infrastructure construction. The incident occurred during the construction of a bridge over the Kosi River. Suddenly, without warning, a slab of the bridge collapsed, claiming the life of one labourer and leaving several others feared buried under the debris.
The gravity of the situation became apparent when District Officer Kaushal Kumar confirmed the fatality and reported that nine others sustained injuries during the collapse near Maricha between Bheja-Bakaur. This grim event adds to a concerning trend of bridge collapses during construction in Bihar.
This is not an isolated incident. Bihar has witnessed several similar tragedies in recent times, highlighting significant concerns over infrastructure safety and construction practices in the region. Just last year, Bhagalpur faced a similar fate when a bridge collapsed.
In June 2023, the collapse of a bridge under construction between Khagaria-Aguwani-Sultanganj stunned the nation. A video capturing the bridge's sudden submersion into the river Ganga surfaced, revealing the catastrophic failure of the structure. The bridge, whose foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2014, had already suffered partial collapse two years prior. The collapse, exacerbated by a storm in April, underscored the vulnerability of infrastructure projects in adverse weather conditions.
Similarly, in December 2022, a bridge over the Gandak River in Begusarai collapsed before its inauguration, echoing the recurring theme of structural failures during construction. This bridge, with an estimated cost of Rs 14 crore, succumbed to the same fate as many others before it, raising questions about the oversight and quality control measures in place during construction.
The incident in Purnia on May 15, 2023, further exposed the precarious state of bridge construction in Bihar. A box bridge collapsed during casting, adding to the list of failures attributed to poor construction practices and inadequate safety measures. The subsequent collapse of a bridge in Bayasi within three months of an earlier incident further highlights the systemic issues plaguing infrastructure projects in the region.
Saharsa district faced a similar ordeal in June 2022 when an under-construction bridge collapsed inside the East Kosi embankment. Despite warnings and requests to rectify structural deficiencies, the contractor hastened construction, resulting in yet another tragic loss of life and resources.
These incidents are not confined to specific districts. From Katihar to Kishanganj, bridge collapses have become distressingly common occurrences, with each incident exposing flaws in planning, execution, and oversight. The toll extends beyond human life to economic resources and public trust in government-led infrastructure initiatives.
The recurring nature of these disasters demands urgent action and introspection. Authorities must prioritize stringent quality control measures, comprehensive safety protocols, and robust oversight mechanisms to prevent future tragedies. Additionally, investments in training and capacity-building for construction workers and engineers are crucial to ensuring adherence to best practices and standards.
Moreover, accountability mechanisms must be strengthened to hold negligent parties accountable for lapses in construction and safety protocols. Transparency and public participation in the planning and execution of infrastructure projects can help foster trust and ensure that community needs and concerns are addressed effectively.
In conclusion, the recent bridge collapse in Supaul serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms in Bihar's infrastructure development sector. Without decisive action and concerted efforts to address underlying issues, the cycle of tragedies is bound to continue, perpetuating human suffering and hindering socio-economic progress.